Hamamelidis folium

Hamamelidis folium is the officinal extract from the dried leaves of Hamamelis virginiana, the Virginian witch hazel (Ph.Helv.7; DAC).

Quality is laid down in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: traditional-use: Itching, oozing and burning in grade I and II hemorrhoids, also in inflammation of the mucous membranes of the anus. As a mouthwash or gargle solution for mild inflammation of the oral mucosa.
ESCOP monograph: Internally for varicose veins, aching, heavy legs, haemorrhoids, externally for bruises, sprains, minor skin injuries, local inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes. for hemorrhoids; for neurodermatitis, heavy legs
Commission E-Monography: externally for minor skin injuries, local inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, for hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

Empirical medicine: externally: eczematous skin diseases, diaper dermatitis, inflammations in the anal and genital area, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, perineal incision care, leg vein diseases, care of dry skin in old age, for hemostasis, internally: dysentery, diarrhea, hematuria.

Cosmetics industry: extracts as ingredients of facial tonics, pre-shaves, after-shaves, skin nourishing creams and deodorant creams.

Hamamelis virginiana distillate (INCI), Hamamelis virginiana extract (INCI), Hamamelis virginiana water (INCI)

Hamamelidis cortex contains tannins of the tannin type (3-10 %), including beta-hamamelitannin, a glycosidic tannin from gallic acid and hamamelose. It also contains ellagitannin, flavonoids(kaempferol, quercetin, astragalin), saponins and essential oil.

Astringent, anti-inflammatory and locally hemostyptic.

Naturopathic as tonic, astringent, anti-inflammatory; locally hemostyptic and antioxidant (Gonzales MJ et al. 2010).

Used mainly for inflammatory changes in the mucous membrane area.

Also for minor skin injuries and local inflammation of the skin (WHO monograph), also the scalp (Trueb RM 2014). For the often propagated dermatitis solaris a 1% hydrocortisone cream might be more effective.

Experimentally, witch hazel extracts show a rather low anti-crobial activity (inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans -Gloor M et al. 2002). The antiviral (human papillomavirus type 16) efficacy of tannins from the bark extracts of Hamamelis virginiana has been experimentally proven (Theisen LL et al.2014).

Contact allergic reactions; occasionally stomach irritation, allegedly in rare cases liver damage caused by witch hazel tannins.

Pregnancy and lactation nor sufficient data, as well as in children and adolescents under 18 years.

1. Duckstein SM et al. (2012) Conversion of phenolic constituents inaqueous Hamamelis virginiana leaf extracts during fermentation. Phytochem Anal 23:588-597.
2. Gloor M et al. (2002) Antiseptic effect of a topical dermatological formulation that contains Hamamelis distillate and urea. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 9:153-159.
3. González MJ et al. (2010) Impact of thermal processing on the activity of gallotannins and condensed tannins from Hamamelis virginiana used as functional ingredients in seafood. J Agric Food Chem 58:4274-4283.
4. Theisen LL et al.(2014) Tannins from Hamamelis virginiana bark extract: characterization and improvement of the antiviral efficacy against influenza A virus and human papillomavirus. PLoS One 9:e88062.
5. Trüeb RM (2014) North American Virginian Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Based Scalp Care and Protection for Sensitive Scalp, Red Scalp, and Scalp Burn-Out. IntJ Trichology 6:100-103.
6. Wolff HH et al. (2007) Hamamelis in children with skin disorders and skin injuries: results of an observational study. Eur J Pediatr 166:943-948.
7. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-hamamelis-virginiana-l-folium-cortex-aut-ramunculus-destillatum_en.pdf
8. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/hamamelis.php
9. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 118-120
10. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 311-313
11. http://www.pharmakobotanik.de/systematik/6_droge/hamame-f.htm